JOSÉ LECLERC NEWS

Will work in low-leverage spots Leclerc allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning in Sunday's 16-8 win over the Angels.

Impact Leclerc worked the final inning and ceded a solo home run to Hunter Renfroe. The one-time closer will be used in low-leverage situations, per Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News, and they don't get much lower than pitching with your team leading by nine runs to begin the ninth inning. Will Smith has taken over as the team's primary closer.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Short stint in loss Leclerc allowed two runs on two walks and one hit over a third of an inning in Wednesday's 12-7 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Impact On the day manager Bruce Bochy anointed Will Smith the team's sole closer, Leclerc had the kind of effort that forced the manager's decision. He walked the first two batters faced, the second of which produced the go-ahead run charged to Josh Sborz. A couple of batters later -- a sacrifice fly and a single -- and Leclerc's night was done. Leclerc has issued a passel of walks to start the season -- nine over 10 innings -- but until Wednesday, they hadn't hurt him.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Loses hold of closer's role Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Wednesday that Will Smith rather than Leclerc will see the majority of the team's save opportunities moving forward, Evan Grant of The Dallas...

Impact Bochy's pronouncement comes after Leclerc was bypassed for the save opportunity in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks in favor of Smith, who recorded the game's final four outs en route to notching his fourth save in as many chances. Leclerc and Smith had opened the season in something of a closing committee, and despite posting a strong 0.93 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through his first 10 appearances of the season, Leclerc's 18.4 percent walk rate didn't bode well for his chances of avoided a blowup somewhere down the line. Until Leclerc shows he can throw strikes with more consistency, Smith looks like he'll maintain a firm grip on the closer's gig.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bypassed for save opportunity Leclerc was not used in a save situation in Tuesday's 6-4 win over Arizona.

Impact Will Smith closed out the win instead of Leclerc, who hasn't been given a save opportunity since blowing his second of the season, April 24, against the Reds. Leclerc hasn't pitched in five days and was rested, but manager Bruce Bochy opted for Smith for a second straight time when a game presented a save chance. Leclerc's 0.93 ERA hides the seven walks he's allowed and a 6.14 xFIP over 9.2 innings.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Part of bullpen meltdown Leclerc (0-1) allowed three walks and an unearned run over a third of an inning, picking up the loss in Monday's game against the Reds.

Impact The base on balls -- an old Leclerc bugaboo -- reared itself once again. With the Rangers up, 6-4, in the bottom of the eighth inning, Leclerc entered a bases-loaded, two-out situation and promptly walked the first two batters faced (11 pitches three strikes). He was eventually pulled after walking the first batter faced on four pitches in the bottom of the ninth. That run come home to score, in part due to a wild pitch by Will Smith, which made it unearned. The blown save was Leclerc's second of the season and second in as many outings.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jacob deGrom exits with wrist injury in Rangers' win over Royals

Rangers ace Jacob deGrom exited with a sore right wrist after pitching four no-hit innings in Texas' win Monday over the Kansas City Royals

APRIL 18, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Rangers blank Royals 4-0 after deGrom exits with sore wrist

Jacob deGrom exited with a sore right wrist after pitching four spotless innings, and two Texas Rangers relievers completed a one-hitter in a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royal...

APRIL 18, 2023 • Associated Press

Shuts door Friday Leclerc retired the side in the ninth inning of Friday's 6-2 win over Houston.

Impact Leclerc had been warming up when the Rangers plated an insurance run, making it a non-save opportunity. Still, it was a nice bounce back for Leclerc who blew a save his last time out.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blows first save Leclerc was charged with a blown save during Tuesday's win over the Royals after he allowed one unearned run on one hit and two walks over 1.1 innings. He did not record a strikeou...

Impact Lefty Will Smith opened the ninth inning by giving up a leadoff single, and Leclerc was stuck with the blown save after allowing the inherited runner to score. He then returned for the 10th and recorded one out before being lifted, and he was charged an unearned run when the designated runner later came around to score. Leclerc and Smith appear to be working as a closer committee and have one save apiece in the early going, with Tuesday marking the first time either reliever has been scored upon this season.

APRIL 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up first save Leclerc picked up the save after striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning during Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Impact Leclerc got the call in the ninth after Will Smith, who picked up the Rangers' first save opportunity Sunday against Philadelphia, worked 1.1 innings following Jacob deGrom's start. It appears Leclerc and Smith are going to split closing opportunities to open the season, which limits both players overall fantasy value. Leclerc now has two strikeouts across two scoreless innings to start the year.

APRIL 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Still in closer mix Texas manager Bruce Bochy told his bullpen on Opening Day that Leclerc would be the closer to start the season, but the manager called on Will Smith to close out Sunday's win over...

Impact Smith said he was surprised to get the call Sunday, given what Bochy had told members of the bullpen days earlier. The manager talked about bullpen versatility, indicating he could use any of his closer candidates in any situation. "It's a very versatile bullpen where I can use them in the fifth, sixth or high-leverage situations in the eighth and ninth," Bochy said. "It's a fun bullpen. Balance with the lefties and righties... there may be times where really all of them could [close] at some point." It appears Leclerc remains in the mix for saves, but Bochy may not have one set closer.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bypassed for save opportunity Leclerc was not used in a save situation in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Phillies.

Impact After a couple of blowout wins, the Rangers were presented with the first save opportunity of the season Sunday, and it was Will Smith who closed the door on Philadelphia. Leclerc had plenty of rest after throwing 21 pitches in Thursday's season opener. Both pitchers are expected to pitch the ninth inning, but Leclerc was the first in line to close games coming out of camp. Texas manager Bruce Bochy may have opted for the lefty Smith because left-handed hitters were due up in the ninth or because he had yet to pitch this season.

APRIL 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

First in line to close Leclerc is likely to see the save opportunity for the Rangers should one arise Thursday against the Phillies, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc has been seen as the favorite to close for a while, but his velocity was down this spring and manager Bruce Bochy had hedged his bets previously. However, it does appear he is indeed at the top of the pecking order. Will Smith, Jonathan Hernandez and Ian Kennedy could be options to close if Leclerc stumbles.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throws back-to-back days Leclerc struck out two over a scoreless inning in a Double-A game Thursday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc threw on back-to-back days for the first time this spring then dismissed any concerns over his decrease in velocity. "It's the same thing every year in spring training for me," Leclerc said. "But during the season, it picks up. It will be alright." Leclerc's fastball is living in the 92-93 mph range this spring after averaging over 96 in 2022. He remains the leading candidate to close games for the Rangers.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Velo down Leclerc's fastball ranged from 92 to 94 mph Wednesday, down from the 96.5 mph it averaged in 2022, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc finished off Wednesday's spring game for the save, so reduced velocity doesn't necessarily mean he can't close games. That's something manager Bruce Bochy understands and about which he's not concerned, according to Grant. Leclerc cut down on fastball usage last season while increasing his slider and changeup. What he needs to do is fool batters with the change or have them chasing sliders outside the zone. If not, Leclerc will get behind in counts and may throw fastballs in hitters' counts. He's walked four batters in 6.2 Cactus League innings, so there are signs trouble could occur, but he's managed to avoid damage (zero ERA). In the event Leclerc doesn't pan out as the closer, Bochy can use Will Smith or non-roster invitee Ian Kennedy to save games.

MARCH 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Escapes jam, creates another Leclerc allowed one hit and two walks while striking out three over 1.1 scoreless relief innings in Thursday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Impact Leclerc entered in the eighth inning and extricated the Rangers from a jam created by Marc Church. An inning later, Texas' probable closer had to escape a bases-loaded jam of his own making. The right-hander appears to be over the neck injury that paused his spring development for a week and has yet to allow a run over 4.1 Cactus League innings.

MARCH 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes 'B' game appearance Leclerc (neck) threw 14 pitches in a scoreless inning in a "B" game Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc allowed a bloop double but nothing else and his neck injury did not hinder him at all in the appearance. The reliever would seem to be ready for a Cactus League appearance next, although that hasn't been confirmed. Leclerc is competing for the Rangers' closer job and, if healthy, might be the favorite to win it.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throws bullpen Sunday Leclerc (neck) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Leclerc appeared in two Cactus League games before succumbing to neck stiffness. Sunday's session was his first since being shut down the middle of last week.

MARCH 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Leclerc Won't Play in WBC The Texas Rangers reliever won’t join Team Dominican Republic due to physical concerns.

MARCH 2, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Pulls out of World Baseball Classic Manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Leclerc (neck) will no longer play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Impact Leclerc is dealing with some left neck tightness, so he and the Rangers have decided it's best he skip the WBC. It is not clear when Leclerc might be cleared to return to Cactus League play. He is the favorite to open the season as the Rangers' primary closer.

MARCH 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with neck tightness Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that Leclerc is dealing with left neck discomfort, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Impact Leclerc is currently scheduled to take part in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, but Young said that the Rangers staff is evaluating how the injury might affect the reliever's participation. Whether Leclerc sits out the WBC or not, fantasy managers will still want to keep an eye on updates pertaining to the right-handed hurler, who looks to be the top option for saves out of the Texas bullpen to open the 2023 season.

MARCH 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs first spring inning Leclerc allowed one hit and walked one over a scoreless fourth inning in Monday's spring game against the Reds.

Impact Leclerc's appearance in the fourth inning, following starter Martin Perez's three-inning stint, indicates he's the team's closer, or at least part of the mix to save games. At this stage of the Cactus League, closers appear earlier in games when an opponent's best hitters are still in the lineup. Brock Burke, another candidate for saves, worked a scoreless seventh inning.

FEBRUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Part of closer mix Texas manager Bruce Bochy said the team's closer situation is "somewhat fluid" then mentioned Leclerc's name first, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "He's got great s...

Impact Leclerc has the most end-of-game experience among potential closers, which could also include Joe Barlow, Brock Burke and Jonathan Hernandez. Leclerc was effective over the final stages of 2022, converting seven of nine opportunities with a 1.38 ERA over 26 innings while holding hitters to a .482 OPS. He fanned 36 percent of the batters he faced from Aug. 1 forward. Consistent command remains the one big hurdle. Leclerc posted a 4.0 BB/9 last season, including 3.8 during that final effective stretch.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Leclerc on Team Dominican Republic Jose Leclerc will pitch for the Dominican Republic while working to lock down the Texas closer role in 2023.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Closer frontrunner Leclerc appears to be the frontrunner to open the season as closer for the Rangers, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Impact As Weaver notes, Leclerc finished the 2022 season on a high note after returning from Tommy John surgery with a 2.83 ERA, 54:21 K:BB and seven saves. While he should be considered the favorite, Rangers general manager Chris Young mentioned several options as potential stoppers, including Jonathan Hernandez, Ian Kennedy and Joe Barlow. Leclerc will need to perform well in the Cactus League, but right now, he seems like the Texas reliever to target in fantasy for those searching for saves.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE